Courtesy: POC Media
JEUS Gabriel Derick Yape delivered another strong performance for the Philippines at the 2026 Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games, capturing the gold medal in the mixed individual virtual taekwondo event on Friday.
Yape turned in a dominant showing in the final against Vietnam’s Chau Ngoc Tuyet Sang, winning both rounds by lopsided scores of 500–0 and 620–0 to claim the top spot on the podium. The victory marks his second medal of the competition, having earlier secured a bronze in the men’s individual poomsae event.
En route to the gold medal match, Yape overcame a tough field of international competitors. He defeated Japan’s Hayate Suzuki in the quarterfinals before getting past Kazakhstan’s Rita Bakisheva in the semifinal round to advance to the championship bout. His consistent high scores throughout the digital discipline demonstrated precision, technique, and composure across every stage of the tournament.
Yape’s gold is the fourth for the Philippine delegation at these Games, joining the two titles won by gymnast Carlos Yulo and one by pole vaulter EJ Obiena. The national medal tally now stands at 4 gold, 5 silver, and 14 bronze as the Philippines continues its campaign across multiple sporting events. The virtual taekwondo discipline — which combines traditional poomsae movements with digital scoring technology — has proven a successful platform for the country, with Yape emerging as its standout performer.
The 21‑year‑old taekwondo jin has become one of the stories of the Asiad for the Philippines, turning his initial bronze into a golden follow‑up. As the delegation pushes for more medals in the remaining days of competition, Yape’s achievement serves as a bright milestone and a testament to the growing depth of Philippine martial arts talent on the regional stage.
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